Middletown Plans Festival To Celebrate 4th

MIDDLETOWN — When the threat of an electrical storm forced officials to move last year's weekday Fourth of July celebration to the weekend, there was concern that fewer people would attend.

Instead, turnout was as high as in years past, and as an added bonus, many residents dined at downtown restaurants after the fireworks instead of driving home immediately. That eased traffic and provided business to restaurants that are closed on the traditional July 4.

This year, city officials have decided to take advantage of last year's unexpected developments. At a press conference Thursday, Mayor Sebastian Giuliano said this year's Independence Day celebration again will be moved to the weekend and made into a two-day festival: ``The Tastes, Sights and Sounds of Middletown.''

The festival, which will take place on Friday, July 6, from 5 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, July 7, from 3 to 11 p.m., will feature live entertainment, an arts and crafts fair and food from local restaurants, in addition to the traditional fireworks.

``We're very excited about it,'' said Larry McHugh, president of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. He called the event ``a centerpiece for the summer season.''

As of Thursday, six vendors had signed up to display their work in the arts portion of the event, according to Stephan Allison, the city's arts coordinator. The Middletown Symphonic Band and the high school jazz band will play alongside other musical groups.

So far, 17 restaurants have signed up to showcase their food at the festival, including the First and Last Tavern, Vecchitto's Italian Ice and Jerry's Pizza.

Traditional fare such as hotdogs and hamburgers will be offered, along with more unique dishes such as homemade potato chips, a raw bar and pizza made on the premises, according to the Middletown Health Department's Sal Nesci, one of the main organizers of the event.

In the past decade, Middletown has dramatically increased its downtown restaurant offerings, something the festival will celebrate. Ten years ago, ``you could have counted the restaurants on one hand,'' Giuliano said. ``[Now] we have a downtown that begs to be showcased.'' He said he hopes to make the festival an annual event.

Nesci said that as the event nears, everything seems to be coming together. ``The only thing we need to do is pray for good weather,'' he said.